Ask Slashdot: Becoming a Programmer At 40? 314
New submitter fjsalcedo writes "I've read many times, here at Slashdot and elsewhere, that programming, especially learning how to program professionally, is a matter for young people. That programmers after 35 or so begin to decline and even lose their jobs, or at least part of their wages. Well, my story is quite the contrary. I've never made it after undergraduate level in Computer Science because I had to begin working. I've always worked 24x4 in IT environments, but all that stopped abruptly one and a half years ago when I was diagnosed with a form of epilepsy and my neurologist forbade me from working shifts and, above all, nights. Fortunately enough, my company didn't fire me; instead they gave me the opportunity to learn and work as a web programmer. Since then, in less than a year, I've had to learn Java, JavaScript, JSTL, EL, JSP, regular expressions, Spring, Hibernate, SQL, etc. And, you know what? I did. I'm not an expert, of course, but I'm really interested in continuing to learn. Is my new-born career a dead end, or do I have a chance of becoming good at programming?"
Go for it (Score:5, Informative)
What is a dead end? (Score:4, Informative)
It sounds like you never aspired to striking it rich, nor becoming senior management. It sounds like you want a secure job that will last you until you retire.
IMHO, this transition forces you to find a family-owned business or a private company who doesn't focus solely on the bottom line. It does limit your options, but who cares? It sounds like you don't want 100x options, but you want a stable job until retirement.
In that case, go ahead! Keep learning, keep your skills up to date, and you will do great! Just don't expect a high wage, or to get paid like you are an industry veteran. You pay will be comparable to an entry-level programmer (or a bit better). Don't beg for promotions, stay low-cost, and you will do fine.
Don't believe all the sour grapes (Score:5, Informative)
There are lots of programmers working and making very good livings well after age 35. I'm 43 and just two years ago was hired by Google, with a significant pay increase. I work with lots of other guys who are in their 40s, 50s and even 60s and they're bright, very capable and -- obviously -- highly experienced.
Of course I'm talking about people who started when they were younger, but I see no reason why it shouldn't be possible to pick it up later in life.
If you enjoy it, and are successfully making a living at it, go for it. Ignore the naysayers.
Re:Slashdot should be renamed (Score:3, Informative)
To expand on the above:
Can Older Software Developers Still Learn New Tricks? [slashdot.org] Posted by samzenpus on Monday April 29, 2013
Ask Slashdot: Programming / IT Jobs For Older, Retrained Workers? [slashdot.org] Posted by timothy on Tuesday February 05, 2013
It's Hard For Techies Over 40 To Stay Relevant, Says SAP Lab Director [slashdot.org] Posted by timothy on Sunday November 18, 2012
What's the Shelf Life of a Programmer? [slashdot.org] Posted by samzenpus on Monday November 05, 2012
Why Coding At Fifty May Be Nifty [slashdot.org] Posted by timothy on Sunday November 04, 2012
Ask Slashdot: Am I Too Old To Retrain? [slashdot.org] Posted by Soulskill on Friday October 05, 2012
I'd like to nominate timothy and samzenpus as the ultimate trolls of the internet, and all of us who comment here as the ultimate troll baits.